Is there any point to using the 'storage' part of storage heaters if you don't have an offpeak tariff?

March 12, 2011 5:38 AM

I've just moved into a new place that only has storage heaters for heat. However, the tariff on the electricity does not have an offpeak component. Given this, I was wondering if there's any point in using the storage aspect of it (if its more efficient, for example) than just using the 'boost' function that gives you heat instantaneously.
posted by vckeating to Home & Garden (3 answers total)

In a couple of places I've lived, "boost" only drew air from the already-heated storage bricks with a fan. So you had to use the storage part. Storage heaters are a bit useless without off-peak power.
posted by scruss at 6:06 AM on March 12, 2011

Response by poster: Hi scruss - the one I have has a separate switch that you can turn on that appears to make it function just like any other electric heater. The switch is independent of the input/output dials, and has it's own heat setting dial.
posted by vckeating at 6:43 AM on March 12, 2011

Best answer: You're probably better off ignoring it entirely and just using little fan heaters. With no off-peak tariff, there is no point at all spending money on temperature-cycling storage bricks. Better still, use radiators that heat you instead of the room air; even better, invest in a portable reverse-cycle air conditioner (heat pump type).
posted by flabdablet at 7:10 AM on March 12, 2011 [1 favorite]